THE Queanbeyan State Emergency Service will celebrate 50 years of service to the community on Saturday, October 25.
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One man who's practically been there since the beginning is Andrew 'Droid' Darman. The Queanbeyan man has been volunteering with the organisation for the past 40 years.
Mr Darman, 55-years-old, joined the SES following the town's major flood in 1974 and back then it was called the Civil Defence. The headquarters were located behind the Queanbeyan Visitors Centre but a move to the current Erin Street site saw membership flourish.
Mr Darman's said he has seen a fair few more floods and other disasters since that time but none as worse as that one in '74.
"I've been involved with helping with the bushfires of the mid '90s to the Sydney hail storm in the late 90s as well as the Thredbo landslide," he said.
"I've seen storm events and floods but none as big as the one in '74. The water came right up Monaro Street all the way to where the police station and courthouse now are.
"The Old Leagues club was well and truly under."
Mr Darman said he's continued volunteering because at the SES because there isn't any pressure, members are just encouraged to do what they can, when they can.
"I enjoy the community service aspect and the camaraderie with the other volunteers," he said.
"And as long as I'm fit enough and still enjoy it, I'll continue volunteering."
The Queanbeyan SES will hold their open day at 34 Erin Street on Saturday, October 25 from 11am - 2pm. They will hold their 50th anniversary gala dinner the following day.